Malinda Lindsey, a former teacher and administrator at Nacogdoches ISD, died Nov. 9 in Tyler following a brief illness. Services were held Saturday, Nov. 16.
Lindsey’s career in public education included stops at Laneville ISD and Nacogdoches before taking over as superintendent of Kennard ISD in 2016. She retired from that post in December 2023.
Lindsey came on board at NISD as a teacher in 1999. She moved into a role as a reading specialist and was the district’s Director of Literacy/Social Studies before being named principal at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary.
In 2013, Lindsey was named Director of Curriculum for NISD, a post she held until leaving for the superintendent position at Kennard.
Lindsey was well known in Nacogdoches ISD, both for her enthusiasm for her work and a constant smile.
“Malinda was well thought of, both here in Nacogdoches – where she filled several key positions – and around East Texas,” said NISD Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo. “She devoted her entire career to public education."
Lindsey was a graduate of Nacogdoches High School, and her family has multiple connections to the district. Her mother, Kitty O’Keefe Eilenstein, was a longtime NISD employee who oversaw the district’s print shop. Her stepfather, Tommy Eilenstein, was also an employee of the district, providing parking lot security at Nacogdoches High School. Lindsey’s daughter-in-law, Cassady Lindsey, is a purchasing specialist/accounts payable clerk in the district’s business office.